Lipgloss

Beyond Black – as Nude as Nude Can Go

Illamasqua Absorb Intense Lipgloss(£13.00 for 0.20 fl.oz.) is described as a “creamy biscuit nude.” This is easily one of the palest, lightest nudes that I own. On me, it’s not a shade I like, but I know there are readers who really enjoy a very pale nude lip–and with the right look, it can definitely be pulled off. For those intrigued, it can also be mixed with other Intense Lipglosses easily (since it’s quite creamy), as well as patted on for a sheerer, more muted effect of the natural lip color.

It’s paler and more of a true nude with less pink than other well-known nudes like MAC Fleshpot. Similarly, it is less pink than NARS Madere–and perhaps a touch lighter, but the main point of difference is the pink-tinge of Madere.

my thoughts on the formula: Illamasqua Intense Lipglosses are color-rich glosses that have the feeling and finish of a gloss but the color pay off of an opaque lipstick. The formula itself is non-sticky, though a little thick, and doesn’t dry lips out at all. I usually get around four hours of wear or so. Because of how pale it is, any unevenness is really easily seen.

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Docile is a semi-sheer, pale, blue-based pink with pink and gold shimmer. This is a repromote from Fabulous Felines. It is similar to Cultured, though a lighter–you could mix in Oyster Girl and get pretty close.

Indigo Pink is a semi-opaque, rich red-berry with magenta shimmer. It seems a little less red than Pop Mode (and a bit more opaque).

Painted On is a semi-sheer beige-tinted gloss with white and gold shimmer. It is similar to Lustrewhite.

my thoughts on the formula: MAC Lipglasses are vanlla-scented, and they are typically thick and sticky. However, because of their tackiness, they do tend to wear better and longer (four hours for me).

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Product: 27/30

Value: 8/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: The shades coordinate with the lipsticks, but they can easily be layered in any combination, of course. If you like more pigmented glosses, Indigo Pink is one to consider, while if you prefer sheerer shades, both Docile and Painted On fit the bill.

Hourglass Primal Extreme Sheen Lipgloss

Hourglass Primal Extreme Sheen Lipgloss ($28.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a plum-tinged red with soft gold shimmer. It’s semi-sheer to semi-opaque on lips; close-up, it looks sheerer, but from further away, it seems to give the illusion of more coverage. It has the same rich texture of the other Extreme Sheen lipglosses, but this is the sheerest I’ve come across so far.

my thoughts on the formula: It is such a rich, luxurious gloss that applies nicely and doesn’t settle much into lips, given its darker and sheerer color. The formula is thick without being goopy, non-sticky, and very moisturizing. I get three to four hours of wear. There is a light, sweet scent–reminiscent of perhaps creme brulee–that doesn’t feel overwhelming nor smell synthetic.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 26/30

Value: 7/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: The sheerer, darker color of this gloss makes it slightly more difficult to ensure an even layer. It’s interesting to see how many different finishes are found within the Extreme Sheen line-up, though. Wish they’d put more in each tube, though–0.12 oz. is below average.

NARS Spring 2011: Nana

NARS Nana Lipgloss ($24.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a blackened plum that applies semi-opaque. It is still quite dark, but it is nowhere near as dark applied as it appears in the tube (which almost photographs black!). Though I really liked the color itself, and it gave a rather stained glass look to lips, it isn’t so easy to work with by itself. I would recommend layering it over a lipstick or lip liner in order to minimize the gloss settling into lip lines. I also found that if you touch your lips together at all, it really moved the gloss around and made it look blotchy.

my thoughts on the formula: The texture of this particular gloss felt so different from other NARS’ Lipglosses, it was rather sticky. It wasn’t thick like holiday’s Downtown, but I still found this gloss rather tacky, while other NARS glosses are non-sticky (and it is a trait that these lipglosses are known for). In the past, NARS glosses have had plastic-y smells, but I haven’t noticed this in the latest seasonal launches, including Nana.

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 25/30

Value: 8/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: If you don’t mind some prep work (like lip liner) or layering (over a lipstick), I think it’s a nice shade. It should suit both cooler and warmer skin tones, though it is naturally cool toned. It is a more high-maintenance kind of lip color, unfortunately!

MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipglass

MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipglass ($14.50 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a “light neutral pinked beige.” In reality, I found it more of a neutral light-medium beige with subtle white micro-shimmer. The finish was creamy, not quite milky, but as such, there was some settling into lip lines. It is a thicker gloss, too, so be careful when applying it to ensure an even finish (also avoiding smooshing your lips together too much, as it will push around the gloss and making it look uneven).

my thoughts on the formula: MAC Lipglasses are vanlla-scented, and they are typically thick and sticky. However, because of their tackiness, they do tend to wear better and longer (four hours for me).

If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!

Product: 25/30

Value: 8/10

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 4/5

final thoughts: The color itself is a great neutral nude; I do see it working for most skin tones and under tones, assuming you like nudes. It’s not too pale, not too deep that it’s more brown than beige. Surprisingly, I couldn’t come up with a great MAC dupe for this shade; it is closest to Illicit but it’s less orange. C-Thru would be your closest within the permanent range but much paler.